Waratahs lose Phipps

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has made one change to his starting team and two changes to the reserves bench for the match against the Chiefs this Saturday in Hamilton.

Scrumhalf Nick Phipps has been ruled out with an ankle injury while Jack Dempsey, who was named this week in the Wallaby squad, has moved on to the reserves bench in a six/two split of forwards and backs.

Jake Gordon will now start at halfback with Matt Lucas joining the team in Auckland on Thursday and centre Irae Simone moves out of the matchday squad.

Phipps has not yet fully recovered from an ankle injury that forced him from the field in the match against the Highlanders last Saturday.

Dempsey successfully played 35 minutes of Shute Shield rugby for his club Gordon last Saturday before joining the Waratahs in New Zealand the following day.